United Nations Forum on Forests

Transcription

1 United Nations United Nations Forum on Forests Report on the organizational and first sessions (12 and 16 February and June 2001) Economic and Social Council Official Records, 2001 Supplement No. 22

2 Economic and Social Council Official Records, 2001 Supplement No. 22 United Nations Forum on Forests Report on the organizational and first sessions (12 and 16 February and June 2001) United Nations New York, 2001

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4 Note Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.

5 Summary By its resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000, the Economic and Social Council decided to establish the United Nations Forum on Forests as a subsidiary body of the Council. The main objective of the international arrangement on forests is to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end. The Forum would, inter alia, within five years, consider, with a view to recommending to the Council and through it to the General Assembly, the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests. The Forum would also take steps to devise approaches towards appropriate financial and technology transfer support to enable the implementation of sustainable forest management. The Forum held its organizational session at United Nations Headquarters on 12 and 16 February The Forum recommended for adoption by the Council a draft decision concerning the venue of its sessions. It also adopted two decisions, concerning the location of its secretariat and its future methods of work. The Forum held its first session at United Nations Headquarters from 11 to 22 June The Forum recommended for adoption by the Council two draft decisions, concerning the date and venue of its second session, and its report on its first session and the provisional agenda for its second session. It also adopted three resolutions, concerning its multi-year programme of work for , the development of a plan of action and its work with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and one decision concerning the accreditation of intergovernmental organizations. iii

6 Contents Chapter Paragraphs Page Part one Organizational session... 1 I. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention A. Draft decision for adoption by the Council Venue of the sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests... 1 B. Decisions brought to the attention of the Council ORG/1. Location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests... 1 ORG/2. Future methods of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests: election of officers and determination of the duration of their terms of office... 1 II. Organization of the session A. Opening and duration of the session B. Attendance C. Election of officers D. Adoption of the agenda E. Documentation F. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its organizational session III. Consideration of all proposals and options on the location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests IV. Progress towards the establishment of the collaborative partnership on forests V. Action taken by the Forum at its organizational session Part two First session... 4 I. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention A. Draft decisions for adoption by the Council I. Date and venue of the second session of the United Nations Forum on Forests... 4 II. Report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its first session and provisional agenda for its second session... 4 iv

7 B. Resolutions brought to the attention of the Council /1. Multi-year programme of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests for /2. Development of a plan of action for the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, which will address financial provisions /3. Initiation of the work of the United Nations Forum on Forests with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests C. Decision brought to the attention of the Council /1. Accreditation of intergovernmental organizations II. Organization of the session A. Opening and duration of the session B. Attendance C. Election of officers D. Adoption of the agenda E. Documentation F. Establishment of working groups and designation of their chairmen G. Accreditation of intergovernmental organizations H. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its first session III. Adoption of the multi-year programme of work IV. Development of a plan of action for the implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests proposals for action, which will address financial provisions V. Initiation of the work of the United Nations Forum on Forests with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests VI. Date and venue for the second session of the Forum in VII. Provisional agenda for the second session of the Forum Annexes I. List of documents before the Forum at its organizational session II. List of documents before the Forum at its first session v

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9 Part one Organizational session Chapter I Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention A. Draft decision for adoption by the Council 1. The United Nations Forum on Forests recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft decision: 1 Venue of the sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests The Economic and Social Council, bearing in mind paragraph 4 (i) of its resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000, decides that the first and fifth substantive sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests will be held in New York, that two of the three intervening sessions will be held in Geneva and one in San José, Costa Rica, and that any ministerial segment to be convened during the intervening period will be convened during the session held in San José. B. Decisions brought to the attention of the Council 2. The following decisions adopted by the Forum are brought to the attention of the Council: Decision ORG/1 Location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests The United Nations Forum on Forests, expressing deep appreciation to the Governments of Costa Rica and Switzerland and to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, who offered to host the secretariat of the Forum, and recalling paragraph 11 of Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35, in which the Council decided that the secretariat would preferably be located at United Nations Headquarters in New York, and that a recommendation for a final decision on the matter should be made at the organizational session of the Forum, taking into consideration all proposals, decides to locate the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Decision ORG/2 Future methods of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests: election of officers and determination of the duration of their terms of office The United Nations Forum on Forests decides on the following future arrangements for the election of its Bureau: (a) The Forum, immediately following the closure of a regular session, will hold the first meeting of its subsequent regular session for the sole purpose of electing the new Chairman and other members of the Bureau, in accordance with rule 15 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Council; (b) The members of the Bureau shall hold office for a term of one year; (c) In this context, the provisions of paragraph 5 of Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000 apply only to the substantive part of the sessions of the Forum. Chapter II Organization of the session A. Opening and duration of the session 3. In accordance with paragraph 7 (a) of Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35, the United Nations Forum on Forests held its organizational session at United Nations Headquarters on 12 and 16 February The Forum held 3 meetings (1st to 3rd). 4. The session was opened by the Acting Chairman of the Forum, Mubarak Hussein Rahmtalla (Sudan). 5. The Coordinator and head of the secretariat of the Forum delivered an opening statement on behalf of the 1

10 Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. B. Attendance 6. In accordance with paragraph 4 of Council resolution 2000/35, the Forum is composed of all States Members of the United Nations and States members of the specialized agencies, with full and equal participation. Representatives of the following States attended the session: Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe. 7. The following United Nations offices and organs were represented: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Division for Sustainable Development), United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme. 8. The following specialized agencies were represented: World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 9. The following intergovernmental organization was represented: European Community. 10. A number of non-governmental organizations were also represented. C. Election of officers 11. At its 1st and 2nd meetings, on 12 February, the Forum elected the following officers by acclamation: Chairman: Mubarak Hussein Rahmtalla (Sudan) Vice-Chairmen: Slamet Hidayat (Indonesia) Alexey Kornienko (Russian Federation) Gustavo Suarez de Freitas (Peru) Vice-Chairman-cum-Rapporteur: Knut Øistad (Norway) D. Adoption of the agenda 12. At its 2nd meeting, on 12 February, the Forum considered its provisional agenda for the session, which was contained in document E/CN.18/2001/ The representative of Norway proposed that the following item be added to the agenda: Progress towards the establishment of the collaborative partnership on forests. 14. The Forum then adopted the provisional agenda contained in document E/CN.18/2001/1, as orally amended. The agenda, as amended, was as follows: 1. Election of officers and determination of the duration of their terms of office. 2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. 3. Consideration of all proposals and options concerning the location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests. 4. Progress towards the establishment of the collaborative partnership on forests. 5. Other matters. 6. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its organizational session. 2

11 E. Documentation 15. The documents before the Forum at its organizational session are listed in annex I. F. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its organizational session 16. At its 3rd meeting, on 16 February, the Forum adopted the draft report on its organizational session (E/CN.18/2001/L.2), as introduced by the Vice- Chairman-cum-Rapporteur, Knut Øistad (Norway). Chapter III Consideration of all proposals and options concerning the location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests 17. The Forum considered agenda item 3 at its 2nd meeting, on 12 February. Presentations of offers to host the secretariat were made by the representatives of Costa Rica and Switzerland, and by the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 18. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China) and Sweden (on behalf of the European Union). Chapter IV Progress towards the establishment of the collaborative partnership on forests 19. The Forum considered agenda item 4 at its 2nd meeting, on 12 February. It heard a statement by the Assistant Director-General of the Forestry Department of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, on behalf of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests. 20. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of Costa Rica, Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China) and Sweden (on behalf of the European Union). Chapter V Action taken by the Forum at its organizational session Venue of the sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests 21. At its 3rd meeting, on 16 February, the Forum recommended to the Council the adoption of a draft decision entitled Venue of the sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests, which was submitted by the Chairman and members of the Bureau on the basis of informal consultations held pursuant to Council resolution 2000/35 (see part one, chap. I, sect. A) After the adoption of the draft decision, statements were made by the representatives of Nigeria (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China), the United States of America, Switzerland, China, Australia, Costa Rica and Sweden (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the European Union). Location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests 23. At its 3rd meeting, on 16 February, the Forum adopted a draft decision entitled Location of the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, which was submitted by the Chairman and members of the Bureau on the basis of informal consultations held pursuant to Council resolution 2000/35 (see part one, chap. I, sect. B, decision ORG/1). Future methods of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests: election of officers and determination of the duration of their terms of office 24. At its 3rd meeting, on 16 February, the Forum adopted a draft decision entitled Future methods of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests: election of officers and determination of the duration of their terms of office, which was submitted by the Chairman and members of the Bureau on the basis of informal consultations held pursuant to Council resolution 2000/35 (see part one, chap. I, sect. B, decision ORG/2). 3

12 Part two First session Chapter I Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention A. Draft decisions for adoption by the Council 25. The United Nations Forum on Forests recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft decisions: Draft decision I 2 Date and venue of the second session of the United Nations Forum on Forests The Economic and Social Council, bearing in mind paragraph (1) of its resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000: (a) Decides that the first high-level ministerial segment of the United Nations Forum on Forests will be held during its second session; (b) Welcomes with appreciation the generous offer of the Government of Costa Rica to host the second session of the Forum in San José, Costa Rica, from 4 to 15 March Draft decision II 3 Report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its first session and provisional agenda for its second session The Economic and Social Council: (a) Takes note of the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests at its first session; (b) Approves the provisional agenda for the second session of the Forum set out below: Provisional agenda for the second session of the United Nations Forum on Forests 1. Election of officers. 2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. 3. Implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests and the Plan of Action of the United Nations Forum on Forests: (a) Means of implementation: finance, transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building for sustainable forest management; (b) Progress in implementation: (i) Combating deforestation and forest degradation; (ii) Forest conservation and protection of unique types of forests and fragile ecosystems; (iii) Rehabilitation and conservation strategies for countries with low forest cover; (iv) Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands and the promotion of natural and planted forests; (v) Concepts, terminology and definitions. 4. Common items for each session: (a) Multi-stakeholder dialogue; (b) Enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination; (c) Country experience and lessons; (d) Emerging issues relevant to country implementation; (e) Inter-sessional work; (f) Monitoring, assessment and reporting; (g) Promoting public participation; (h) National forest programmes; (i) Trade; (j) Enabling environment. 5. High-level ministerial segment. 4

13 6. Ministerial dialogue with heads of member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. 7. Date and venue for the third session of the Forum. 8. Provisional agenda for the third session of the Forum. 9. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its second session. B. Resolutions brought to the attention of the Council 26. The following resolutions adopted by the Forum are brought to the attention of the Council: Resolution 1/1 Multi-year programme of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests for The United Nations Forum on Forests, Recalling that the main objective of the international arrangement on forests is to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end, Also recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000, particularly paragraph 4 (g), which states that the United Nations Forum on Forests will work on the basis of a multiyear programme of work, drawing on the elements reflected in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 4 the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests, 5 chapter 11 of Agenda 21 6 and the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, Further recalling, in particular, paragraph 9 of Council resolution 2000/35, Recalling, also in particular paragraph 4 (a) of Council resolution 2000/35, Stressing that the multi-year programme of work should embody Council resolution 2000/35, with concrete activities to be undertaken by the Forum over the next five years aimed at fulfilling the principal functions of the Forum, in particular to implement the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests at the national, regional and global levels and to provide a forum for policy guidance and coordination, as well as to address means of implementation and common items for each session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, Recognizing the importance of financial resources, technology transfer and capacity-building, including the importance of international trade in wood and non-wood products, in all types of forests and in both developed and developing countries, including least developed countries and countries with low forest cover and countries with fragile ecosystems, for the realization of the aims of the multi-year programme of work of the Forum, Taking note of the report of the Secretary- General, 7 Decides to adopt the multi-year programme of work set out below for the period : Multi-year programme of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests for A. Structure 1. The multi-year programme of work of the United Nations Forum on Forests for should reflect the overall objectives of sustainable forest management. 2. Each session of the Forum will address the principal functions as outlined in Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF)/ Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF). 3. All of the above proposals for action are included in the table as elements, common items or as means of implementation. 4. Sessions of the Forum will focus on the following elements, as well as those outlined in paragraphs 5 and 6 below, in order to address implementation of those proposals: 5

14 (a) Second session: combating deforestation and forest degradation; forest conservation and protection of unique types of forests and fragile ecosystems; rehabilitation and conservation strategies for countries with low forest cover; rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands; promotion of natural and planted forests; concepts, terminology and definitions; (b) Third session: economic aspects of forests; forest health and productivity; maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs; (c) Fourth session: traditional forest-related knowledge; forest-related scientific knowledge; social and cultural aspects of forests; monitoring, assessment and reporting, concepts and terminology and definitions; criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management; (d) Fifth session: (i) Review of progress and consideration of future actions; (ii) On the basis of the assessment referred to in paragraph 2 (e) of Council resolution 2000/35, consider, with a view to recommending to the Council and through it to the General Assembly, the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests; (iii) Review the effectiveness of the international arrangement on forests, as referred to in paragraph 17 of Council resolution 2000/ The means of implementation indicated in the table, finance, the transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building will be addressed during each of the sessions of the Forum in the context of the discussion of the elements for that session. 6. The following common items will be addressed at each of the sessions of the Forum: multistakeholder dialogues; enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination, inter alia, with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests; country experiences and lessons learned; emerging issues relevant to country implementation; inter-sessional work; monitoring, assessment and reporting; implementation of the plan of action; promoting public participation; national forest programmes; trade; and enabling environment. 7. Cross-sectoral considerations may be explored, as appropriate. 8. Inter-sessional activities, such as meetings of ad hoc expert groups and country-led initiatives, are invited to support the deliberations of the Forum. 9. The structure of the sessions of the Forum is illustrated in the table. B. Monitoring, assessment and reporting 10. Monitoring, assessment and reporting are among the principal functions of the Forum and are complementary to the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action, as well as related to the overall review of the Forum that is to be made at its fifth session. 11. The importance is stressed of the use of regional and national criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management as a basis for reporting on sustainable forest management. 12. The Forum s function of monitoring, assessment and reporting comprise the following areas: (a) Progress in implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action; (b) Progress towards sustainable management of all types of forests; (c) Review of the effectiveness. 13. Member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests are called upon to facilitate efforts, including those by countries, to report on the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action and to make easily accessible information on financial resources, environmentally sound technology, to support national capacity-building for forest-related information collecting and reporting in developing countries. 14. Reporting is invited from countries, regions, organizations and processes based on a credible, voluntary reporting system, with a focus on the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action. 6

15 Structure of sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests Means of implementation: finance; transfer of environmentally sound technologies; capacity-building Common items for each session: multi-stakeholder dialogue; enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination, inter alia, with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests; country experiences and lessons learned; emerging issues relevant to country implementation; inter-sessional work; monitoring, assessment, and reporting; implementation of the plan of action; promoting public participation; national forest programmes; trade; enabling environment 7 First session Second session Third session Fourth session Fifth session Adoption of the multi-year programme of work Development and adoption of a plan of action Initiation of the work of the Forum with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests Combating deforestation and forest degradation Forest conservation and protection of unique types of forests and fragile ecosystems Rehabilitation and conservation strategies for countries with low forest cover Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands Promotion of natural and planted forests Concepts, terminology and definitions Ministerial Economic aspects of forests Traditional forest-related knowledge Forest health and productivity Maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs Forest-related scientific knowledge Social and cultural aspects of forests Monitoring assessment and reporting, concepts and terminology and definitions Criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management Review of progress and consideration on future actions On the basis of the assessment referred to in para. 2 (e) of Council resolution 2000/35, consider, with a view to recommending to the Council and through it to the General Assembly, the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests Review the effectiveness of the international arrangement on forests Ministerial E/2001/42/Rev.1

16 15. Representative selection of lessons learned, achievements, as well as obstacles to implementation should be presented and discussed at each session of the Forum, as organized by the secretariat in consultation with the Bureau. C. High-level ministerial segments 16. Clear strategic direction and strong political commitment to sustainable forest management are key to the successful fulfilment of every aspect of the mandate of the Forum. 17. In order to demonstrate political leadership and commitment and provide guidance to the Forum, the first ministerial segment will be held at the second session of the Forum and the second ministerial segment will be held at its fifth session. 18. An important focus, inter alia, of the first ministerial segment of the Forum will be to endorse the plan of action adopted at the first session, as a contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, through its preparatory committee. 19. The first ministerial segment of the Forum will provide an opportunity for countries to declare their commitment to country goals and strategies for implementing the IPF/IFF proposals for action. 20. The gracious offer of the Government of Costa Rica to host the second session of the Forum and its ministerial segment, in San José, from 4 to 15 March 2002 is welcomed with appreciation. D. Inter-sessional work by ad hoc expert groups and country-led initiatives 21. Council resolution 2000/35, in particular paragraphs 4 (k) and 13, and the statement on the programme budget implications of the draft decision on the multi-year programme of work, submitted by the Secretary-General in accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Council, 8 is recalled. 22. The need is recognized for inter-sessional work to inform as well as to provide scientific and technical advice and advance the objectives of the Forum, in an open and transparent manner, pursuant to Council resolution 2000/ The convening of three ad hoc expert groups to support the work of the Forum is recommended to address the following issues: (a) Approaches and mechanisms for monitoring, assessment and reporting; (b) Finance and transfer of environmentally sound technologies; (c) Consideration with a view to recommending the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests. 24. The specific titles, composition, terms of reference, scheduling and reporting of these ad hoc expert groups will be endorsed at the second session of the Forum, following their approval during open-ended informal consultations in San José prior to the opening of the session. 25. Member States and members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests are invited to submit in advance suggestions for consideration at the consultations described in paragraph 24 above. 26. Timely convening of country-led initiatives, facilitated by the Forum through its secretariat, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other actors, is welcomed. E. Involvement of major groups 27. The importance is stressed of involvement in the work of the Forum of major groups as identified in Agenda 21, and the value is noted of inputs from major groups associated with forest management at the national, regional and global levels. 28. The value of multi-stakeholder dialogues for furthering the purpose and objectives of the Forum is noted, in particular the implementation of sustainable forest management, at the national, regional and global levels. 29. The importance is noted of transparent and participatory practices, including multi-stakeholder participation at the national level, for addressing the complex issues of implementing sustainable forest management in a cohesive and comprehensive manner. 30. The secretariat of the Forum is requested to work with the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Department of Economic and Social 8

17 Affairs to expedite submission to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations of applications for accreditation by major groups, in accordance with the relevant rules of procedure of the Council. 31. Opportunities for the participation of major groups, as identified by Agenda 21, should be facilitated at each session under the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Council, building upon the transparent and participatory practices established by the Commission on Sustainable Development, IPF and IFF. 32. Multi-stakeholder dialogues are to be held at each session, beginning at the second session. 33. Relevant stakeholders, in accordance with the provisions of Council resolution 2000/35, paragraph 4 (c), are invited to contribute to discussions in each session, including, inter alia, case study experience, underlining the need to encourage a balanced stakeholder participation of developed and developing countries so as to give meaningful inputs, inter alia, to the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action and the intergovernmental forest policy dialogue. F. Enhancing cooperation and coordination 34. The establishment of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests to support the Forum in its work is welcomed. 35. The Forum should develop and maintain contacts, cooperate and make active efforts to develop synergies with the members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, the Commission on Sustainable Development and other functional commissions of the Council, as well as other relevant international and regional processes and organizations, institutions and instruments. 36. The participation is invited of members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other international and regional processes and organizations, institutions and instruments at each session of the Forum. G. Review 37. Council resolution 2000/35 is recalled, in particular paragraph 17, recognizing that the Forum should be dynamic and adapt to evolving conditions. 38. The principal functions of the Forum are stressed, in particular facilitating and promoting the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action, and in this context the implementation of the decisions of the Forum will be a key basis for reviewing its progress. 39. The need is recognized to identify the criteria against which to assess the effectiveness of the international arrangement on forests in a systematic and objective manner. 40. It is also recognized that these criteria may, inter alia, take into consideration the effectiveness in terms of the following: (a) Facilitating and promoting the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action; (b) Implementing the plan of action of the Forum; (c) Addressing the common items, as referred to in paragraph 6 above of the multi-year programme of work; (d) Addressing the means of implementation: finance, transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building in developing countries, including in countries with low forest cover and other countries with fragile ecosystems; (e) Strengthening synergies between the Forum and other international bodies; (f) Enhancing cooperation and policy and programme coordination; (g) Fostering a common understanding of sustainable forest management and addressing emerging areas of priority concern; (h) Fostering international and cross-sectoral cooperation at all levels, including public-private partnerships; (i) Reporting by Governments, as well as by regional and international organizations, institutions and instruments; 9

18 (j) Strengthening political commitment to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests; (k) Qualitative approaches; (l) Implementation of the decisions of the Forum; (m) Involvement of major groups. 41. More specific criteria should start to be considered, with a view to being adopted, if possible, at the second session of the Forum, taking into full account the fact that priority should be given to the substantive agenda of that session. Resolution 1/2 Development of a plan of action for the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/ Intergovernmental Forum on Forests that will address financial provisions The United Nations Forum on Forests, Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000, in which the Council gave a mandate to the Forum to develop a plan of action for the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests that will address financial provisions, Also recalling the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests and Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, 9 including their proposals for action, aimed at implementation at the national, regional and global levels by countries, relevant international, regional and subregional organizations, including the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, as well as private sector and other major groups, as identified in Agenda 21, 10 Recognizing that a plan of action is a holistic and comprehensive response to the call for action with the aim of advancing the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests in the context of sustainable forest management at various levels, Stressing the importance of providing financial resources from a variety of sources, including public, private, domestic and international, as well as the importance of institutional and capacity-building in developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition in order to implement the plan of action, Recognizing that trade has an important role in the achievement of sustainable forest management, Emphasizing the need to devise approaches to facilitate technology transfer to developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition in order to support the effective implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests by those countries, Further emphasizing the importance of good governance and an enabling environment for sustainable forest management at national, subregional, regional and global levels, Recognizing that the identification of priority actions at the national level is the responsibility of countries themselves, 1. Decides to adopt the plan of action of the United Nations Forum on Forests contained in the annex to the present resolution to guide the more effective and coherent implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, and invites all relevant participants to work with the United Nations Forum on Forests to implement the plan of action; 2. Invites ministers to endorse the plan of action at the high-level ministerial segment to be held at the second session of the Forum and to consider transmitting it as one of the inputs of the Forum process to the preparatory committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, recognizing that countries will proceed immediately with assessment, prioritization and implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests in the context of their national priorities; 3. Also invites ministers to consider any other appropriate inputs, including specific commitments, as appropriate, as a contribution of the Forum process to the preparatory committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. 10

19 Annex Plan of action of the United Nations Forum on Forests 1. The plan of action of the United Nations Forum on Forests is a holistic and comprehensive response to the call for action with the aim of advancing the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF)/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) in the context of sustainable forest management at various levels. 2. The responsibility for the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action directed at the national level lies with countries, which will set their own priorities. The plan of action is also directed to the international, regional and subregional levels insofar as its proposals are addressed to international and regional actors and their institutions. The international and regional levels also have an important role in supporting national implementation. 3. The implementation of the plan of action will require, inter alia, the following: (a) Establishment of national focal points; (b) Effective cooperation among the members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, bilateral donors and countries and public/private partnerships; (c) Active stakeholder participation. 4. The activities of the Forum, including meetings, country-led initiatives and other intersessional work, will facilitate and promote the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action, as outlined in Forum resolution 1/1 on its multi-year programme of work. 5. The target of the plan of action is progress on the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action and demonstrable progress towards sustainable forest management by Activities at the national level 6. Countries will set their own national priorities, targets and timetables for the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action, and will systematically assess and analyse the proposals in their national context. 7. To facilitate the assessment, it may be helpful to cluster the proposals for action according to, inter alia, the sixteen elements identified by the Secretary-General based on the IPF/IFF process Countries will develop or strengthen, as appropriate, national forest programmes, as defined in the IPF/IFF proposals for action, or other integrated programmes relevant to forests, with the aim of achieving a holistic and comprehensive approach to sustainable forest management. 9. Countries will, on a voluntary basis, report progress towards the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action to the Forum as soon as possible, and, if practicable, to the first ministerial segment of the Forum. 10. Countries will endeavour to involve relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action at the national level. Activities of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and its members The Collaborative Partnership on Forests is invited to support the work of the Forum and to present a concrete and coordinated proposal to assist the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action. The member organizations of the Partnership are also invited to contribute actively to the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action, including through their technical and financial resources. 12. The Partnership is further invited to identify and mobilize various financial opportunities in agencies, mechanisms, institutions and instruments for supporting the implementation of the plan of action in developing countries. 13. The Partnership and its member organizations are invited to consider what contributions they can make collectively and individually to support the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action and how they can best respond to areas of particular importance to countries and to priority areas at the subregional, regional and global levels. 14. Initiatives are encouraged which address the special concerns of least developed countries as well as low forest cover countries and other countries with fragile ecosystem needs, for example, through followup to the Tehran process and the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. 11

20 Elements 15. The following 16 elements are an important tool for the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action: (a) Formulation and implementation of national forest programmes; (b) Promoting public participation; (c) Combating deforestation and forest degradation; (d) Traditional forest-related knowledge; (e) Forest-related scientific knowledge; (f) Forest health and productivity; (g) Criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management; (h) Economic, social and cultural aspects of forests; (i) Forest conservation and protection of unique types of forests and fragile ecosystems; (j) Monitoring, assessment and reporting, and concepts, terminology and definitions; (k) Rehabilitation and conservation strategies for countries with low forest cover; (l) Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands and the promotion of natural and planted forests; (m) Maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs; (n) Financial resources; (o) International trade and sustainable forest management; (p) International cooperation in capacitybuilding, and access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies to support sustainable forest management. Financial resources and other means of implementation 16. The provision of technical assistance, technology transfer, capacity-building and financial resources, in particular to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, is essential to the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action and is needed to strengthen the capacity of relevant institutions and instruments engaged in implementation. 17. Financing, technical assistance and capacity-building for implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action will be provided through: (a) Bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests; (b) Stakeholders; (c) Domestic resources. All relevant actors are urged to give greater priority to sustainable forest management in allocating resources. 18. Governments of developed countries are urged to increase the quality and quantity of official development assistance. Governments of developed countries that have not yet fulfilled the commitments that they have undertaken to reach the agreed United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for official development assistance are urged to do so as soon as possible. 19. Financial issues should be an integral part of the work of the Forum. This work will endeavour to identify ways in which various forms of finance can best support the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action. 20. The buying and selling of wood and nonwood forest products and services, including across international borders, have a profound effect on sustainable forest management, forest harvesting and the value of forest products. In this context, trade issues should be an integral part of the work of the Forum. This work, which needs to draw on all appropriate expertise, will endeavour to identify ways in which trade can best support the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action. Targets 21. The plan of action is an evolving process. In this regard, targets and timetables are important for indicating progress on the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action. Targets will be set by individual countries within the framework of national forest processes, as appropriate, and by organizations at appropriate levels. Concrete process-oriented targets for the plan of action should be considered with a view 12

21 to being adopted, if possible, at the second session of the Forum. Activities related to reporting 22. Reporting on progress in the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action is based on voluntary reporting, including by subregional and regional groups and processes, drawing upon existing formats, as appropriate. 23. Voluntary reporting by countries, regions, organizations and processes on their implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action should include achievements and identify gaps and obstacles to implementation and on means of implementation. The reports may be prepared in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Such voluntary reports would start at the second session of the Forum. 24. Relevant stakeholders are encouraged to provide reports on their contribution to the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action. 25. The plan of action will be complemented by activities at the country, subregional, regional and organizational levels and by relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action and the work plan of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and its member organizations. 26. Countries, member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other relevant organizations and stakeholders are invited to make proposals and commitments for implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action at each session of the Forum. 27. The plan of action will be reviewed and updated, as appropriate, consistent with Council resolution 2000/35 and the multi-year programme of work. Resolution 1/3 Initiation of the work of the United Nations Forum on Forests with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests The United Nations Forum on Forests, Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000, in which the Council invited the executive heads of relevant organizations to form a collaborative partnership on forests, Welcoming the timely establishment of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests 13 and the endorsement of support to the Forum by the Committee on Forestry of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Tropical Timber Council and the Board of Trustees of the Center for International Forestry Research, Emphasizing the important role of the Partnership in supporting the work of the Forum in achieving its objectives and in enhancing cooperation and coordination among its member organizations at the national, subregional, regional and international levels, Noting with appreciation that the secretariat of the Global Environment Facility and the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, have agreed to join the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and inviting the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to join as soon as possible, Emphasizing the need for the Partnership to operate in an open, transparent and flexible manner, Reiterating that the Partnership should receive guidance and feedback from the Forum when carrying out its work, in accordance with the guidance provided by the governing bodies of the member organizations of the Partnership, 1. Invites the governing bodies of the member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests to identify practical means for mobilizing their diverse strengths and resources to support the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests focused on country-level implementation; 2. Invites the Partnership to consider the need to make enhanced cooperation and coordination among international organizations, institutions and instruments as one of its main priorities; 3. Encourages Governments and other participants in the Forum to work collaboratively to 13